Keralam Assembly Seeks Removal of CEC Gyanesh Kumar Over SIR Controversy

The Keralam Legislative Assembly on Monday passed a resolution seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, citing alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and concerns over the Election Commission of India's impartiality.

Chief Minister V D Satheesan moved the resolution, arguing that reports of large-scale voter deletions raised serious questions about democratic values and citizens' constitutional right to vote. The move comes amid growing opposition protests against the electoral roll revision exercise, with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi spearheading criticism of the poll panel.

The resolution called for the immediate restoration of voting rights to all eligible voters allegedly removed from electoral rolls. It also sought the initiation of proceedings to remove Kumar, stating that allegations surrounding the SIR had raised serious doubts about the Election Commission's independence and credibility.

The Assembly further proposed restructuring the committee responsible for appointing Election Commissioners to include the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and the Chief Justice of India, with the stated objective of strengthening institutional independence.

During the debate, BJP legislative party leader B B Gopakumar questioned the legality of the Chief Minister's election and suggested dissolving the state Assembly. BJP MLA V Muraleedharan referred to media reports about Election Commissioners allegedly opposing aspects of the SIR, which the Election Commission had subsequently described as incorrect. He also proposed condemning attempts to defame the poll panel.

Satheesan rejected the BJP leaders' proposed amendments, describing them as politically motivated and inconsistent with the resolution's objectives.

However, he accepted an oral amendment suggested by Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan, replacing the phrase “lakhs of voters” with “crores of voters”. The discussion referred to an allegation that approximately 13 crore voters had been deleted from electoral rolls.

The resolution was ultimately passed by a show of hands, with BJP legislators, including state party president Rajeev Chandrasekhar, opposing it.

The Assembly maintained that protecting eligible citizens' voting rights and ensuring free and fair elections were central to democracy. However, the resolution does not itself remove the CEC; removal must follow the constitutionally prescribed parliamentary procedure.

The controversy highlights the wider political and institutional debate over voter verification, electoral transparency and the Election Commission's accountability.